1
as in sacrifice
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
They moved off the grid to live a life of austerity.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruffness
the quality or state of being stern and serious in manner or appearance
His air of austerity tends to put others off.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in misery
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
His family spent years living in austerity during the recession.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of austerity
Rachel Reeves has set herself the seemingly contradictory tasks of ending austerity in public services, boosting growth and delivering fiscal stability to reassure markets that Labour can be trusted with the UK’s finances.
—
Samuel Burke, Fortune Europe, 29 Oct. 2024
For instance during the week, the top-end radio station France Culture featured a long interview with George Papakonstantinou, a former finance minister of Greece, who outlined the austerity that Greece had faced during its financial crisis.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
While recognizing the need for austerity, Bannon framed the coming economic fight as a choice between protecting the working class or shielding the wealthy from financial sacrifice.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Many in the developing world are watching closely as the United States moves away from the old neoliberal logic while their own economies remain trapped within its austerity mandates.
—Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for austerity 
Samuel Burke, Fortune Europe, 29 Oct. 2024
For instance during the week, the top-end radio station France Culture featured a long interview with George Papakonstantinou, a former finance minister of Greece, who outlined the austerity that Greece had faced during its financial crisis.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
While recognizing the need for austerity, Bannon framed the coming economic fight as a choice between protecting the working class or shielding the wealthy from financial sacrifice.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Many in the developing world are watching closely as the United States moves away from the old neoliberal logic while their own economies remain trapped within its austerity mandates.
—Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
-
Biles explores the sacrifices but also the pressure that comes with sustained success.Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
-
Yet in pregnancy, Mama Rice Pudding transforms into something more complex—a creative block that threatens to silence Shafak’s literary voice by forbidding books and demanding the sacrifice of artistic pursuits at the altar of maternal duty.Fidan Cheikosman, JSTOR Daily, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Middleton put the possession out of its misery with what turned into a decent look on an off-the-bounce midrange jumper, but the entire possession lacked purpose.Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
-
Carter’s true legacy is one of economic misery at home and embarrassment on the world stage.Philip Klein, National Review, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Arteta’s standards of discipline outweighed Aubameyang’s goalscoring.Phil Hay, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
-
However, her lifelong dedication to dance and cheer tells a story less about luck and more about the discipline, ambition and heart famously needed to become a Cowboys Cheerleader.Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Louise tells tales of drunkenness, asceticism, death.Hervé Guibert, Harper's Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024
-
And, for a population just one generation removed from near-universal poverty, Western celebrations of India’s mystical asceticism hold little appeal.Peter Martin, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2015
Noun
-
Like mice, people who are naturally short sleepers seem to be immune to the ill effects of sleep deprivation.Marla Broadfoot, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
-
Any sleep deprivation can also soon put a different lens on your cruise experience.Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The new law mandates that children must be informed of their rights — including the right to contact state social service workers and the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson — within one day of seclusion or restraints being used.Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 27 Dec. 2024
-
The suspect, 55-year-old Rose Anderson of Houston, appeared before the Harris County Magistrate on Sunday, Dec. 22, where she was charged with injury to a child and unlawful restraint.Luke Chinman, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The outlet added that first responders at the scene were reminded of combat wounds because of the severity of the injuries.Clare Fisher, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
-
While authorities did not release additional details about the severity of the injuries, Curry County Sheriff Michael Brockett told Fox News Digital that two of the injured workers were in critical condition.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Container Store, a 46-year-old retail chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday.Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
-
After months of store closures and filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, discount retail chain Big Lots is preparing to go out of business.Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share